In the end, Kimimaro couldn't hold on much longer. Under Kazuyama Gekkō's full-scale suppression, he passed out. His bones retracted into his body, and the natural energy gradually drained away. Only after sensing that Kimimaro had completely exited Sage Body did Kazuyama Gekkō release his technique.
"There. Done."
"But, Jūgo-kun, how often does this sort of thing happen?"
"And how long has Kimimaro been receiving your cells?"
Kazuyama Gekkō suddenly felt he had left Orochimaru's lab too hastily—so hastily that Orochimaru hadn't even had time to brief him on Kimimaro's condition. But since he had arrived in time to handle the situation, he figured he might as well find out what was going on.
"Not long. Just over a week since the cell fusion began."
"This is his first outburst. His condition had been stable until a few days ago."
"A sudden outburst... it could mean..."
Jūgo's gaze shifted to Kazuyama Gekkō, and the implication was unmistakable.
"Hey, hey, hey—what's with that look?"
"You're telling me he went berserk just because I showed up?"
Kazuyama Gekkō widened his eyes, stunned that such a blame-shifting comment came from Jūgo. After all, Jūgo was a good person, right? In the original story, aside from his tendency to go berserk, he had no other issues—not to mention shifting blame.
But Jūgo nodded seriously, and his next words left Kazuyama Gekkō frozen in place.
"You might not have noticed."
"You possess exceptionally potent natural energy. Your sudden arrival disrupted the natural energy balance on Turtle Island."
"The natural energy within you differs from that of nature itself. It leans toward the cold and dark—what I refer to as the serpent."
"I've heard from Lord Orochimaru about the affairs of the Three Great Sage Regions. The Ryūchi Cave Senjutsu, correct?"
Jūgo scrutinized Kazuyama Gekkō carefully, then nodded with even greater conviction.
"Precisely. Your natural energy is excessively formidable."
"That's why Kimimaro was affected by the natural energy fluctuations and went berserk."
Kazuyama Gekkō was momentarily taken aback. He thought to himself: I've got something to say, but I'm not sure if I should. Damn it. He hadn't done anything—he'd just used Flying Thunder God Technique to get to Turtle Island. And now?
He had caused trouble?
Whatever. He, Kazuyama Gekkō, wasn't the type to shy away from trouble. So he'd caused a minor issue? Big deal. It's all resolved now, isn't it?
"Got any food?" he grumbled.
"Starving!"
The irritated Kazuyama Gekkō could only calm himself by eating. Jūgo nodded, then hoisted Kimimaro onto his shoulder and led Kazuyama Gekkō out of the room within the waterfall.
Orochimaru's experimental facility was built around the Falls of Truth, so they soon arrived at a building. Jūgo first settled Kimimaro, then brought food to Kazuyama Gekkō.
"Jūgo, I came here mainly to find you."
"You possess a natural innate energy constitution—what we call a celestial physique.
As for me, I learned Senjutsu later in life. So regarding natural energy, I was wondering if you have any... well, tricks of the trade?"
Kazuyama Gekkō popped a rice ball into his mouth before stating his purpose.
Jūgo glanced up at him before replying quietly:
"I'd love to help, but I honestly don't know how to explain it.
Back in the day, this energy gave me headaches too. It wasn't until I came here that I learned to control it.
Natural energy—what you call Senjutsu energy—is incredibly wild. At least, that's how it felt to me."
Unruly?
Kazuyama Gekkō hadn't felt that way at all. His grasp of natural energy felt perfectly comfortable, with no trace of any unruly sensation.
Could this be the difference between the two types of Senjutsu?
"Jūgo, do you feel there's potential to master natural energy to an even higher level?"
Faced with this question, Jūgo pondered for a moment before shaking his head.
Just as Kazuyama Gekkō was puzzled, he finally spoke:
"I can sense my own limit. While I can absorb and utilize this energy..."
"...it's confined solely to the Cursed Seal Transformation. Beyond that, I cannot employ this energy for any higher-level applications."
Cursed Seal Transformation?
Pseudo-Immortal Mode?
Kazuyama Gekkō was even more confused. Logically, since Jūgo's Immortal Body was innate, such a limitation shouldn't exist.
If that were the case, what about the Three Great Sage Regions?
Those were Immortal Senjutsu cultivated through postnatal cultivation.
"Alright, thanks. You continue looking after Kimimaro. I need to digest this."
Kazuyama Gekkō didn't rush to leave, nor did he head to the Ryūchi Cave. He felt he needed to settle his thoughts.
He looked at his attribute list.
[Immortal Senjutsu: Ryūchi Cave Immortal Senjutsu (Unique Transformation!)]
Unique... This 'Unique' designation had always been there, but he hadn't paid it much mind.
Suddenly, he realized he'd been overthinking things. He wasn't just anyone—he possessed a System.
These past years, he'd somewhat neglected his own advantage, fixated solely on tracking down Danzō and the Akatsuki organization.
Looking back, he'd strayed a bit off course. This realization instantly lifted Kazuyama Gekkō's spirits.
"Hm? Figured it out?"
Seeing Kazuyama Gekkō's lips curve upward, his entire aura radiating joy, Jūgo was somewhat taken aback.
He thought: Is this really Lord Orochimaru's disciple? No wonder he's achieved mastery in Sage Arts—his insight is extraordinary!
"Not exactly figured it out, but I've got a direction now."
"Alright, Jūgo, look over there."
Kazuyama Gekkō suddenly pointed skyward. Jūgo didn't understand, but he followed the direction of the gesture.
The next second.
"Smack!"
"Hmm, so this is the feel of a naturally developed Senjutsu Body?"
Jūgo stared blankly at Kazuyama Gekkō, who had just slapped him, frozen in place.
Why did he slap me?
Why?
He couldn't make heads or tails of it. An inexplicable rage surged through him, but just as he moved to confront Kazuyama Gekkō, he realized the man had vanished.
"Damn it!"
"Flying Thunder God Technique!!"
"I hate this technique!"
Where could Jūgo find Kazuyama Gekkō now?
He'd vanished long ago using Flying Thunder God Technique.
Meanwhile, Kazuyama Gekkō stood by the coast of the Land of Waterfalls, basking contentedly in the sea breeze.
[Ding! Detected host's debt has reached its limit. Slapped Jūgo for no reason, causing his well-maintained composure to shatter completely.]
[Special Reward: Taijutsu +1!]
Receiving rewards was still the best way to lift his spirits.
Gazing at his only unmaxed skill—Taijutsu—Kazuyama Gekkō decided to get back to his roots!